Review: Bonnat Madagascar

Lindy's Rating: 7.0 (previously ***)

Richard's Rating: 7.0 (previously ***)

chocolate maker Bonnat bar Madagascar region Madagascar plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 100g ~ 3.5oz cocoa solids 75% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with text imprint and scoring aroma floral, fruit (prune), earthy, woody, hint of sweet snap hard taste fruit (cherry, lime, and more), sweet, earthy, hint of tart melt smooth length short finish slightly acidic

As the sticker on the wrapper attests, Bonnat recently celebrated its 125th year. Madagascar is one of Bonnat's regionally named bars (and thus made of cacao beans from Madagascar ;)

Madagascar's medium-dark brown color had a reddish tinge, as is typical for chocolates from that region. The shape and texture of the bar were nearly identical to other Bonnat bars, with a central imprint of Bonnat as the maker and Voiron as the city where Bonnat opened its doors in 1884. The scoring provides breaking points for 32 small pieces and one quadruple-sized one in the center (with the "BONNAT VOIRON" imprint). The best before date on the bar we reviewed was January 2012.

The aroma was floral, fruity, and earthy, with occasional suggestions of sweetness. I thought the earthy fruitiness might be prune and also noticed a woody scent.

The suggestive fruity aroma was revealed to be much more complex as a flavor, with cherry and citrus (that Lindy experienced as lime), as well as some other fruit flavors we weren't able to identify. There was also some sweetness, earthiness, and a hint of tartness.

This chocolate had a fairly normal smooth melt and a short length of about 15 seconds. The finish was slightly acidic, which Lindy found slightly bitter. Both of us rated this bar ***, though it didn't make it into either of our respective favorite lists.

Bonnat does not publish list prices, but you can purchase the Madagascar bar online at Chocolopolis for $9.99.